Pocket type cigarette extinguisher and saver



M. H. MEARS 2,781,762

POCKET TYPE CIGARETTE EXTINGUISHER AND SAVER Feb. 19, 1957 Filed May 2 1, 1955 Ma; H. Mears mmvrox Fig. 3

United States Patent The'present invention relates to a pocket-type cigarette extinguisher and saver for satisfactorily and safely snufiing an ignited cigarette and carrying the same for 7 extended use if and when desired.

Many users of cigarettes have a habit of saving socalled butts for extended or future use. They follow the practice of lighting a cigarette, taking a few puffs, and then knocking off the ignited end and placing the butt in the pocket or a special container and saving it for further use. In fact, it is sometimes necessary when one is waiting for a streetcar, bus, or the like and suddenly decides to board the same to extinguish the cigarette but preserve it for future use. there has long existed a need for a simple and economical extinguishable and safety carrying device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide just such a device, one which has a clip and is so made that it may be inserted into the coat pocket, much like a fountain pen, and thus fulfill the requirements of those who preserve butts for economical or other extended use purposes.

There are occasions when one desires to extinguish or snuff out a cigarette when he finds himself in a situation where, for example, there are no ash trays handy and where there is no place to stamp out the ignited cigarette or otherwise handily dispose of it. Therefore,

it is another object of the invention to provide a device.

Under these circumstances,

which may be used for extinguishing a cigarette which is to be handily disposed of at some convenient place of disposition.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the'following description and theaccompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved cigarette snuffing or extinguishing device;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1, showing how the movable lever unit may be pressed to open position;

Figures 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3-3 and 44, respectively, of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings by way of reference numerals, a primary unit is denoted by the numeral 6 and a lever unit by the numeral 8. The unit 6 is the longer of the two and it has a solid handle or finger grip 10 at one end with a suitable recessed surface 12 for convenient finger accommodation and handling purposes. The principal portion of unit 6 is channel-shaped in crosssection and therefore provides a first channel characterized by a web or bight portion 14 and spaced parallel side the end adjacent to said finger grip or handle is provided with a second channel denoted by the numeral 20. The

walls 16 and 18. The outer end of the channel is open and 2,781,762 Patented Feb. 19, .1957

. 2 V recess defining a socket which is best seen in Figure 2 and denoted by the numeral 24. i f

The other complemental lever-like section or unit 8 is characterized by a solid shank portion 26 which is fitted into the narrow spacebetween the surfaces 22-22 and is there pivoted by way of the pivot pin 28. On one side of the pivot there is a wedge-shaped terminal forming a finger trip30 which operates in the second channel 20. At this same end portion there is a socket 32 which is opposite to ,the socket 24 and these two sockets serve to accommodate the coil spring 34. This spring exerts tension' on the finger trip 30 and serves to operate the opposite end portion ofthe unit 8 sovthat it swings into the first channel between the side walls 16 and 18. The last-named end portion is formed with a third channel which is conveniently denoted as a general feature by the numeral 36. This channel is open at its outer end, is closed at its inner end as at 35 and is opposed to the channel in the section 6 and the two channels form an openable and closable receiver which is of course open at the upper end shown in Figures 1 and 2 and through which upper end the lighted end of the cigarette (not detailed) is inserted. The cigarette, incidentally, is shown in dotted lines and denoted by the reference character A in Figure 2. Here it is to be assumed that the user has smoked but a short or relatively short portion of the cigarette and desires to preserve the rest of the cigarette. He thus presses on the trip 30 against the tension of the spring and opens up the jaw-like or lever unit 8 which makes it possible to conveniently insert the cigarette into said first channel in unit 6. He then closes the section 8 and the cigarette is housed and in little or no time it will be snuffed out. It will be safe to be carried in this state. It might be mentioned here that since the device is intended to be carried about in ones pocket much like a fountain pen, the pivoted springpressed unit 8 is provided with a pocket clip 38. Thus, section 6 has a channel at one end portion and a handle at the opposite end portion and the other section is pivoted in the channel and has a complemental channel portion with the two channel portions cooperating and providing a satisfactory cigarette receiving and snuffing space. The channel portion of the unit or section 6 has sometimes been referred to as a sheath into which the other hinged and spring-pressed section 8 folds into compact, out-of-the-way position.

Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is:

A cigarette .carrier, snufier and saver for carrying in ones garment pocket comprising a primary unit having a handle at one end and a sheath at the opposite end, said sheath being channel-shaped in cross-section and providing a first channel which is open at the outer end and is adapted to partly receive the cigarette which is intended to be extinguished and carried about for future disposition, the portion of the handle adjacent to the inner end of said firstchannel being likewise provided with a second channel aligned with said first channel, and a lever unit of an over-all length less than the length of said primary unit and having a pivot intermediate its ends mounted on an intermediate portion of said primary unit and having a spring pressed trip at one end normally receding and movable into the second channel and also having a portion movable into the first channel, said last'named portion being likewise channel-shaped in cross-section to provide a third channel and telescopically movable completely into the first channel under normal circumstances,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 670,027 Malmberg' Mar. 19, .1901

4 Mears June 16, 1931 Seitz Mar. 8, 1932 Ford Jan. 23, 1934 Napolillo Feb. 24, 1942 Porter Jan. 19, 1943 Sinclair Feb. 24, 1948 Ayers Nov. 25, 1952 Leong May 26, 1953 Wheelock July 7, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1889 GreatBritain June 17, 1942 

